It would be impossible to talk about the most legendary series in gaming history without mentioning the long-lasting JRPG series that is Final Fantasy. Initially serving as a final breath of sorts for Square, the runaway success of this 1987 gem spawned a massive franchise that is full of mainline titles, spin-offs, remakes, movies, and whatnot.
Each successive Final Fantasy game has featured numerous advancements for the franchise, ranging from that shift into 3D graphics with Final Fantasy VII to the removal of turn-based combat altogether in Final Fantasy XV. However, there are certain aspects of the series that have remained constant to this day, with the inclusion of a party of heroes being perhaps the most notable of these elements.
Even with the shrunken size of Final Fantasy XV, this party system has been quite consistent across the Final Fantasy games, which certainly begs the question — which Final Fantasy main party is the best of the lot?
13 Final Fantasy
There's nothing really to talk about when it comes to the first Final Fantasy game when it comes to the main party.
All four Warriors of Light are as generic and stoic as can be, not uttering a single phrase through the game as they just follow the plot of a by-the-numbers RPG. While choosing their jobs might add a slight bit of depth, they still pale in comparison to the other Final Fantasy party members on this list.
12 Final Fantasy III
After giving the four heroes some character in the previous game, Square decided to go down a puzzling route by reverting back to the stoic heroes of the first game.
The four orphans don't really band together for any particular reason, and most of their interactions feel rather forced in the remake as well. As such, they feel like generic stand-ins and fall flat for the very same reasons that the OG Final Fantasy party did.
11 Final Fantasy XIII
It's a testament to the bog-standard writing of Final Fantasy XIII's characters that the main party doesn't even come anywhere close to the top half of this list, residing with some of the more generic writing that drags down a few of the other past games.
Each one of the characters in Final Fantasy XIII is written in such a boring and uninteresting manner that having to sit through any one of their interactions just feels like a chore.
10 Final Fantasy II
Square decided to take some bold new steps with Final Fantasy II, and while most of them might not have paid off in the long run, the same can't be said for the life they added to the party members.
All of a sudden, the main characters in Final Fantasy II actually had names, motivations, and backstories, even though it might not have been the most revolutionary writing in the world. It was the stepping stone that Square used for the future games in the series — excluding Final Fantasy III, that is.
9 Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy V's cast of characters might be somewhat memorable, but one can't deny that their individual stories were discarded during the game to focus more on the game's overarching story itself.
Not that that's a bad thing — Final Fantasy V is definitely a great game in the series, but it could've certainly benefited from some good character writing. This is especially true in this instance given the fact that the previous games in the series excelled in that regard.
8 Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII's colorful cast of characters is definitely intriguing in its own way, but — similar to the situation discussed before — the characters take a backseat to the overarching plot... for the most part.
This leads to the characters in Final Fantasy XII feeling just a bit too stitched together for the liking of most fans. That isn't to say that it's without standout mentions such as Balthier and Fran, but they can hardly be expected to bear the entirety of the burden in terms of personal charisma.
7 Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV could've potentially had one of the best party setups in the entire franchise, had it not been for the limitations of the game's development.
While the four boys definitely feel like a tight group throughout Final Fantasy XV, their impact throughout the entire story feels oddly disjointed, which, given the unfinished nature of the game's second half — took away from their endearing camaraderie.
6 Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX has some of the most endearing characters in the entire series, and their placement signifies a tonal shift for this list, where every main party has been stellar in some way or another. While most of the characters (even Quina) are well fleshed out and vibrant, Vivi's story is absolutely a notable highlight in a game that's already full to the brim with memorable moments.
5 Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV was the first game in the series to truly embrace the power of good writing, crafting a well-made story centered around a cast of unlikely-yet-endearing heroes as they save the world from an unsightly threat. Each party member in Final Fantasy IV is fueled by his or her own ambitions, and watching all their stories unfold is definitely a treat to witness.
4 Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII might've been considered by many to be the black sheep of the franchise at the time of its release, but there's no denying that the perception of this title has improved over time.
A large part of why this is the case is the characters, who have grown into fan favorites. While the idea of every character coming from the same orphanage might've been somewhat odd, it's still just a relatively small problem in an otherwise great title. Every character, even the stoic and withdrawn Squall, feels real in a way that sets a benchmark for all of the titles that followed.
3 Final Fantasy X
Square Enix's foray into the PlayStation 2 was met with roaring success, as Final Fantasy X pretty much knocked everyone's socks off with its sheer quality.
Watching the story of Tidus and Co. evolve in one of the greatest Final Fantasy stories of all time is truly a brilliant experience, and even the few who hate Tidus as a character can't deny that the personalities of Final Fantasy X's cast play off each other quite deftly.
2 Final Fantasy VII
It would be impossible to take about great casts in Final Fantasy games without mentioning the title that helped this series catapult to major heights.
Final Fantasy VII is definitely one of the greatest games ever made, in no small part due to a rich cast of characters that managed to capture the hearts of fans all over the world, even after the less-than-perfect localization. Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, and the gang are practically household names in the gaming industry with more than ample reason.
1 Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI sports one of the biggest main casts in the entire series, and — barring a few exceptions — pretty much all of them are brilliantly written in some way or the other.
Whether it be Terra trying to regain her memories or Locke trying to adhere to his ideals, there's no shortage of the brilliant mini-stories present all across this masterpiece. Any Final Fantasy fan that has skipped this aging gem absolutely must give it a shot, even if only to get acquainted with the massive ensemble cast that constitutes the party.